Concerns over fire unit as animals die in blaze

THE Fire Brigades’ Union has raised concerns about the deployment of a new 4x4 emergency response vehicle after it was sent to a blaze which claimed the lives of 11 animals and injured another.

The “small fires unit”, which has been in use for less than a fortnight at Humberside Fire and Rescue Service, was sent to the fire in outbuildings in Hull on Wednesday morning and arrived eight minutes after the emergency call, but immediately requested back-up.

Two fire appliances arrived at the property in Riversdale Road seven minutes later, but two dogs, six puppies and three ferrets died. Another dog was injured.

The FBU’s brigade organiser, Rob Vaux, said: “Control have got to make a decision and assess the situation, but it’s our fear that if mistakes are made it means a vehicle can be sent that doesn’t have the capability to fight the fire.

“For some reason the small fires unit was sent and it had to ask for further pumping appliances and it’s that delay that concerns us.”

A brigade spokesman said any recommendations arising from the incident debrief would be considered by managers.